I started carrying a Sig p238, but I’m thinking I’d rather not have to train to turn off the safety if I ever need to defend myself.
I still love my Sig P238, but I’d like at least a 9mm. And something slightly bigger - the 238 is teeny tiny!
What do you suggest and why? (I’d love to say money’s no object, but can’t at this point in my life. So please keep the suggestions reasonably priced (sub $750) and VERY reliable. No expensive paperweights please 
)
Thanks!
Hi Theresa, there are a lot of options and you have to find out what works the best for you.
I’m a Smith & Wesson guy to the bone, I believe in their product and trust them as well which is very important. Most days I carry the S&W M&P Sheild in .45 cal. I also have at least 1 extra mag with me, the sheild .45 has a 7 round mag, so an extra mag could make a big difference. The M&P .40c is also a great choice and I carry that as well, all are very reasonable. Remember to train often with your EDC, it’s so important to know what your capable of, example; how long does it take you to draw from concealed and put 2 in center mass. This is important if your ever in a situation, I know I can draw and put 2 in center mass in 1.38 seconds, in a situation, do I have that time to neutralize the threat? Good luck, and ask a lot of questions. 
I agree with Steve that Smith and Wesson makes wonderful products however, I am a bit of a Walther fan. Three out of my five carry options are Walther. I would suggest taking a look at either the Walther P99as compact or, the Walther CCP model 2. The Walther P99as compact is about the same size as a Glock 26 but, is da/sa with a decocker and, 10 in the mag. The Walther CCP is about the size of a Glock 43 and, the one that I have is the easiest to handle compact 9mm I have fired with 8 in the mag.
the P99as (about $600) does not have a manual safety whereas the CCP (about $400) does. However, due to the long trigger pull of the CCP I immediately thumb the safety off after holstering without worrying about it.
That depends on a lot of different factors. Caliber, size of the gun, recoil management, semi automatic or revolver. I have shot everything from a .25 automatic pistol to a .357 magnum smith and Wesson. They all have different pros and cons. What a gun lacks in size and weight usually has snappier recoil due to its overall design. My first concealed carry gun was a ruger LCP .380. I loved its compact size because it was easy to conceal but it was a very snappy gun. It kicked way more than my Springfield XDE 9mm which is a full size gun. And I’ve found if you don’t like the recoil on your gun you more than likely won’t even be carrying it as often as you should. A mistake a lot of people make is buying a .357 magnum revolver practicing with .38 special rounds at the range and carrying .357 for self defense. They will find that they are in for quite a surprise with the muzzle blast and recoil impulse. If your gonna carry a 357 train with them.
Like I was saying to Theresa before, choosing a CC is a very personal thing, I suggest going to a gun store that rents handguns and has a range on site, ask a lot of questions and try out as many as you can, when you find one that feels right to you, then make sure that it’s a practical gun for personal protection, make sure that you can handle it well and that your not afraid of the recoil, make sure you can conceal it comfortably, shoot the gun at all different distances starting at about 6’ if they will allow you to, and shoot out to about 20’, most situations will take place a lot closer than you may think, this is a good start to finding out what will work for you. God Bless.
You guys are good, @Steve-G and @Lakerfan34!
You’re very right, most self-defense situations take place inside of 15 feet.
When you train, be sure to train in multiple ways. In a self-defense situation, your brain is going to make you focus on the threat, not the front site. Knowing how to hit the target when you can’t focus on the front site could be a lifesaver.
We call this unsighted fire in our concealed carry courses. Basically, it’s point and shoot - like we did when we used our finger as a gun playing as children.
Hi Theresa,
If you want additional training on your firearm, some to most shooting ranges provide training. I also found that the uscca has online video training for free. I also always practice different scenarios and drills in my own home and a few of those ideas I gotten from some of the training videos from the uscca! Plus practicing always helps.
Respectfully
Lisa
Welcome @Lisa! Glad you like the USCCA training videos!
Theresa - you can find a bunch of free training videos on our YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/USCCAtraining/
thanks for the welcome, Hi everyone, My name is Lisa and I’m new but I am very pleased to meet everyone!
Now trying to figure out how to put my picture up for my profile!!
If I may chime in… Sit down and write out a list of what you want in a sidearm. Magazine capacity, caliber, sights, upgrades, holster options… you can look at websights like cheaperthandirt.com. budsgunshop.com and others to get a idea for pricing. But you can look at the features and options that way without having a sales guy pressure you. Glock, Cz, Smith and Wesson,Springfield all make great 9mm options but dont be surprised if you find something with a safety you like alot…
Do you want a double or single stack? I would go to a gun store that had a large selection. Handle all of the guns that are either double or single, or revolvers. You say you want a 9mm, so I would focus on those. Find the top 3 that feel good in your hand. Call a few local ranges to see if they have rentals of those guns. Here’s how I rank carry guns
1.Will I carry it always
2.Do I shoot it well enough for self defense
3.Is it a “Self defense” caliber
4.Capacity
If you won’t carry it, it’s no good. If you can’t hit a barn with it, no good. I ranked caliber above capacity because if you can put rounds on target, 6-7 hits is better than 12-15 misses. Last, capacity. Again, if you can’t hit anything with it, then it won’t matter how many rounds you have. All that said, I’m partial to double stack M&Ps myself. If you became confident in you Sig, the 938 is the same gun only in 9 mm.
A good budget gun is the Ruger Security 9. I’ve shot near a thousand rounds through it over the year and a half I’ve had it.
Now I have found that it does stove pipe but it didn’t do that for me before I got another mag for my CCW class.
For subcompact, I grabbed an XDS 4.0 (unfortunately they don’t make the 4.0 anymore). I had a friend who carried it and I shot it at his range. I liked the grip, the sights and he said it has never jammed on him.
(Note: if you get the Security 9 get it ceracoted if at all possible. It does build up rust from humidity.)
I just bought a SIG p365 & it’s a great fun. I love SIGS anyway but this one is my new primary carry
Hi Dawn, I tried to upload a video of a 3-gun stage and it wouldn’t let me do it because it said it wasn’t authorized. Is there a way to do this?
Steve, Let me check on that. There may be a setting I’ll have to change.
This is one of those learning curve bumps - thanks for pointing it out in a positive manner! 
To test out the video issue, here’s an Into the Fray Kevin Michalowski did about choosing a gun:
Before I got my first gun, I took two classes. The first class was basic gun safety and we shot .22’s, The second class was more in depth and we shot .380 up to 45. None of the guns we shot really fit my hand nor did I feel comfortable shooting. A month later I was going to buy a gun for my hubby and started asking about different guns. I had went to buy a Springfield XDM and walked out with Sig Sauer P226 legion. My advice is to NOT buy a gun based on price but the way it feels in your hand. I met a lady in a concealed Carry class I took that bought a SW.380 because her son said she needed a gun. She could barely hold it, much less shoot it. The instructor had to get her a .22 revolver in order for her to hit the target. Many gun ranges have rentals and will go on the range with you and help you learn how to hold it. Keep renting or go shoot with friends until you find the purrfect gun. Don’t let anyone pressure you into a gun because it is cheap or the caliper they think you should carry. Not everyone feels comfortable with a .45 and a well placed .22 is just as deadly.
Awesome suggestions, @TWeinzerl!!